Indian American Nithya Raman Loses Double-Digit Lead as Los Angeles Mayoral Race Tightens to Dead Heat

WASHINGTON–Indian American Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman has seen her double-digit polling advantage over incumbent Mayor Karen Bass disappear, with a new survey showing the two candidates tied just days before the November 3 election.

A poll conducted by the University of California, Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies, in partnership with the Los Angeles Times, found both candidates receiving 40% support among likely voters, while 19% remained undecided.

The survey, conducted October 19-25, represents a significant shift from September, when Raman held an 11-percentage-point advantage over Bass, according to USA Today.

The tightening race has placed greater emphasis on voter turnout, particularly among younger residents who overwhelmingly favor Raman but have been slower to cast their ballots.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Raman commands 69% support among likely voters ages 18 to 29, compared with just 15% for Bass. Her advantage is even larger among voters ages 30 to 39, with 74% supporting Raman and 16% backing the incumbent mayor.

Despite that substantial support, early voting figures suggest Raman could face challenges translating enthusiasm into actual votes.

As of Wednesday, only 13% of eligible voters ages 18 to 34 had returned their ballots, compared with 47% of voters older than 65, according to data from the research firm Political Data Intelligence.

The disparity could prove decisive in a race where neither candidate currently holds a clear advantage.

Raman’s campaign has focused heavily on mobilizing younger voters through social media outreach, including a campaign video inspired by the movie “Mean Girls” that has attracted more than 200,000 views.

“People are sick of establishment politics and want to see a change in the status quo,” Raman campaign spokesperson Liz Garcia told the Los Angeles Times.

Bass, 73, has acknowledged Raman’s popularity among younger voters but maintains that she can appeal to them as well.

“I do understand that there is a sector of young people that do not agree with me, and I respect that. I was them,” Bass told the newspaper. “I’m not somebody that believes that I go around lecturing young people to tell them the ways to do things. I understand and respect where they’re coming from, and we’ll be here waiting for them after I win.”

The latest polling also suggests that supporters of former mayoral candidate and reality television personality Spencer Pratt could play an important role in determining the outcome.

Among voters who supported Pratt in the June 2 primary, 41% now favor Bass, while only 14% support Raman.

Bass finished first in the primary with approximately 34% of the vote, followed by Raman with 29%.

Both candidates have secured endorsements from prominent political and public figures.

Bass has received support from billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso, whom she defeated in the 2022 mayoral election, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Raman has been endorsed by environmental organization Sierra Club, Indian American actress Mindy Kaling and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.

Born in Kerala, India, Raman, 45, immigrated to the United States as a child. She has emerged as a prominent progressive political figure in Los Angeles since her election to the City Council.

A victory for Raman would be historic on multiple fronts. She would become the first Indian American to serve as mayor of Los Angeles and the first challenger to defeat a sitting Los Angeles mayor since 2005.

With the election scheduled for November 3 and nearly one in five likely voters still undecided, the contest remains highly competitive.

For Raman, the final days of the campaign could depend on whether her substantial advantage among younger voters translates into a surge in ballot returns before Election Day. (Source: IANS)